"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light." Luke 8:16

SHIRKING OR SHINING?  Jesus said, "While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world" John 9:5. Did you notice the phrase "while I am in the world" in that verse? He also said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house" Matthew 5:14-15. After He ascended, we became the light of the world. However, some Christians cover the light ... hiding it instead of displaying it. God passed the light on to you and to me to shine into the dark, lost world. He hasn't covered you with a basket or hidden you under the bed. If that has happened to you, who did it? Was it you, Satan, the world, or other Christians? This lesson will help you shine instead of shirk. You will learn how to overcome three common causes for not witnessing ... fear, spiritual imbalance, and lack of time.

REASONS FOR SHINING. There are many reasons to shine ... reasons to witness. Each should motivate you to share the Gospel. Moreover, as a whole, they should irresistibly compel you to go to the harvest fields. You should witness because...

You are commanded to, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8.
You want to be pleasing to God, 2 Corinthians 5:9.
You want to be like Jesus ... seeking and saving the lost, Luke 19:10.
You want to follow Paul's example, 1 Corinthians 11:1.
It helps you become a disciple, John 15:8.
Jesus is the only way to God, John 14:6.
You should love lost people, Philippians 1:15-17, Romans 9:1-5.
It's too late after you are in Heaven, Luke 16:26-28.
Hell is an awful place, Mark 9:47-48.
Hell is forever, 2 Thessalonians 1:9.
You will be judged, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11.
You will be rewarded, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.
It results in joy, Luke 15:6-7.
It improves your prayer life, John 15:16.
It helps defeat Satan, Revelation 12:10-11.

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Disciplemaking 2, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org.